April 28, 2009

Is it just me or does everyone think a vacation warrants a new bag? Ok, maybe it is just me. I have harbored a small love for bags since I was very young. We're heading out to the west coast with a new jumbo sized tote. I went a little out of my *comfort* zone with this one. I'm not a yellow girl, but something about this butterscotch canvas spoke to me at the fabric shop. I like it, and it will be a little twist on my normal color scheme. This bag is another pattern from Weekend Sewing.

Large enough to carry around everything we'll need for our day excursions and on the plane... and in a pinch it's a baby carrier. After all we had to give it a good trial run, make sure we took all possible scenarios into consideration. We're, I'm, hoping this scenario doesn't play out. She's heavier than she looks, I tell you. Particularly, on one arm. Luckily, I made the straps a little thicker than called for to avoid the shoulder dig in of a heavy load.

On a side note: This last Saturday we gifted this sundress and bloomers to our niece. It was my first attempt at smocking. In my opinion it came out pretty nice. For a little flair I paired the green dress with teal bloomers. When she lifts her skirt (gasp), everyone is in for a good shock.

Yet another set of Weekend Sewing patterns. Some may call that an obsession, I prefer to call it a theme.

April 23, 2009

Piper and I sewed some pajama pants for Zac as a surprise. It took a week of secret sewing. Which meant having everything cleaned up by dinner time and doing enough other stuff around the house so as to not make Zac suspicious. They are simple enough, but with Piper's help a little more time consuming. Her idea of sewing is pulling out pins, playing with buttons and trying to get a hold of the sissors anyway she can. The pattern is from my new favorite book, Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross.

As an added bonus I *whipped* up a pair of matching capri pajama pants for Piper after dinner last night. I added some ric-rac to her's, to make them a little cuter. I think there might be enough fabric left to have a mama pair too.

April 22, 2009

The sun has decided to show it's face again. We're thankful! Although the rain was good for everything that is growing around here, for sewing and guitar playing. Its not good for outdoor activity.

I made this sun hat for Piper over the weekend and today is the first day where it was actually appropriate to wear it. The outfit doesn't coordinate with the hat, but I didn't feel a wardrobe change was necessary for this mini photo shoot. I think I'll make another that isn't so outfit limited, if you will. I think it will serve her well on our upcoming family vacation.

Also, making their debut appearance today are my labels. After talking about it for so long, I finally have labels to sew into my work. Minor to some, major for me. Like an artist being able to sign their work. (Not that I'm comparing my sewing to art...those of you artists in my family.) There is a label in the hat. But my hand sewing leaves a little, maybe a lot, to be desired so no picture.

April 21, 2009

Twenty-seven years ago today the man that I love was born into this world. He has made the world, my world, a better place. A kind, mellow man who is a wonderful husband and a wonderful father. In honor of his birth I thought I'd share with you a blast from Zac's past.

April 20, 2009

We had a rainy, gray weekend. Plans for yard work were put on hold to hole up inside for the most part. Saturday we ventured out to see Tom Pease. A singer that my family would see at Log Jam in Wausau when I was young. Piper danced, sang and showed off her belly button (when that was called for, of course.) It was a good time. Sunday we went to an Earth Day cookout at our co-op. We missed out on our chance to ride in an electric car, they didn't show, and got rained on midway through lunch.

One good aspect of the weekend was the completion of Piper's play kitchen. Originally posted about here. It's still not in it's final resting place upstairs, Zac wanted to keep it downstairs for a bit longer. We're happy with how it turned out. And of course no project around here is really complete without some mama sewing. I made an apron and some napkins (which look more like potholders because of their miniature size.)

April 17, 2009

I delved into the world of homemade bread. So far, so good. I got the itch last night after our after dinner walk. I set to work. By five after ten I had two hot loaves and a scrumptious smelling home. It was sheer bliss to go to bed with that smell. There is something so wholesome about having fresh baked bread in the house. I guess it reminds me of growing up with my mama's homemade bread. I got one decent looking loaf and one slightly wonky. I'll get there.

Piper got a delivery yesterday, eco art supplies of the toddler kind. Rock crayons made of soy wax, triangular colored pencils and washable markers. We had to roll out the drawing paper on the floor, the art table/station is not finished...OK not really started. She didn't seem to notice it's absence. Welcoming the wonderful world of scribbling, I mean art.

She took the cover off the marker just after I took the picture, no worries. Although she got more on her hands than on the paper. Ah, washable...

April 14, 2009

We've started up again with classes...lots of classes these last few weeks. We've added to our regular library class a music class and a book baby class. Working here and there on sewing projects that will be reveled later, when it's their turn. We had a busy weekend as well, as I'm sure most everyone's was, working in the yard, cleaning and digging and going out of town. We've been b.u.s.y. ladies around here. In hopes that next time we blink, summer will be on our door step. Not to say we're not enjoying the spring, it's just a *little* unpredictable, woke up to snow cover again this morning. Or at least to have consistently warm days and warm evenings. It sure would be nice to take walks with Papa after dinner and maybe, just maybe, stop along the way at the ice cream shop.

In the midst of our busyness Piper has decided it's time for her to walk. Precisely, last Wednesday she decided. It may have been all of the walkers in her new classes that gave her the confidence she needed to launch into this new world. Still crawls quite a bit, but we'll get there.

Piper has also found new love for the glider in the reading corner upstairs. Mostly since she learned that she could climb on even though it moves.

April 05, 2009

It seems I've jumped on the spring bandwagon just a bit early. Although we didn't get the eight (!) inches of snow that was predicted, we did get a dusting and even that was discouraging to the spirit. We did sneak in a walk around town Saturday. Bundled in our winter gear, but a walk none the less. To add a little fun to this expected return of winter today we planned to go to the Madison Children's Museum for free family Sunday.

There were many interesting and educational things to do and see. Along with a lot of other kids, Piper's must have element for a fun day. The picture of Piper on her back is when Zac put her in the funnel for pennies, she loved it. Some of her favorite exhibits involved musical instruments. Lately, Zac has been taking guitar lessons. Piper enjoys practicing 'with' him. I'm pretty sure that she thinks that every song he plays is for her. Oh, the joys of being a toddler.

April 03, 2009

My new employer, Piper, and I will be joining my old employer for the March for Babies walk with the March of Dimes on May 2nd. If you're interested in sponsoring (fancy way of saying donate) our walk you can go here. Thank you for your support!

April 02, 2009

(For the Divine Ms A)There were a few minutes yesterday, before dinner needed to be made and nothing else needed my attention. Piper was happily playing on her own so I did some playing of the mama kind. A friend had emailed me some pictures of a little something she wanted for her daughter. I've been itching all week to find some time to try to create something along the lines of what she wanted. This is the result of my few minutes.

HomeGrownHess : :

I am Emmy, partner to Zac and mama to two beautiful children: Piper and Calder. Together we are HomeGrownHess. We live in Madison where we try to entertain a simple life filled with family, learning and creating (sewing, knitting, and other various 'crafts'.) Here we let those that are not with us on a daily basis get a glimpse into our life. That way everyone can see what it's like to be a HomeGrownHess.